And no one better signified the thirst for the contest more than Lance Franklin, who kicked eight goals in his latest mauling of his favourite opponent.

In what was a stark contrast of styles at Etihad Stadium, Essendon wanted to play fast, Hawthorn wanted to play slow. But this was two hours of football that was played far more on the Hawks terms than the Bombers.

AFL Round 18: Essendon v Hawthorn

The final score was 22.11 (143) to 13.9 (87). It was an obliteration.

In a highly efficient performance, Hawthorn kicked six goals in the first term, four in the second, six in the third and finished with another six in the last.

They kicked eight of the last nine goals of the first half to lead by 32 points and effectively end this top of the table meeting as a contest.

They did it by monopolising possession and denying oxygen to an Essendon side that started in a frenzy.

AFL Round 18: Essendon v Hawthorn

The Hawks won the disposal count 437-339 and simply refused to cough the ball up. They took 117 uncontested marks to 81, had 76 more uncontested possessions. It was an exercise in starvation. The inside 50s was a lopsided 66-40 in Hawthorn's favour.

Ominously, all the big guns in brown and gold fired.

Franklin's eight goals were accompanied by Jarryd Roughead's four and Jack Gunston's two. Sam Mitchell roamed the ground collecting possessions at will and after seeing off Heath Hocking finished with 30.

AFL Round 18: Essendon v Hawthorn

Josh Gibson was a wall across half-back, Brad Sewell is back and Cyril Rioli did something every time he got it and moved with a freedom that was typically exciting.

Buddy was nothing short of brilliant. It wasn't just the eight goals; it was the confidence, the presence, the strut. This was his most commanding game, coming off a two-week absence with a knee injury some believed cast serious doubt on his season.

His opponent, Jake Carlisle, is in All-Australian contention. He was decimated.

Remarkably, Hawthorn's domination came after it had to withstand a withering opening assault from the Bombers, who slammed on four of the game's first six goals within 13 minutes.

AFL Round 18: Essendon v Hawthorn

Each of those four goals came from Hawthorn turnovers, with red and black waves careering forward on the counter-attack.

Briefly, it looked like Hawks wouldn't have the legs, but just when the alarm bells started ringing they adjusted in ruthless fashion.

Hawthorn just played keep-ball. By the quarter-time siren the Hawks led disposals by 33, uncontested marks by 19 and clearances by six.

Tom Bellchambers briefly loomed as the threat, getting the better of Luke Hodge and Brian Lake in marking duels. But he would get cold in Essendon's forward line during a second term dominated by Hawthorn to a frightening extent.

The Hawks kicked 4.5 to 1.1 after amassing 21 inside 50s to Essendon's seven and they lead by 32 points at half-time.

AFL Round 18: Essendon v Hawthorn

Gibson was pulling the strings beautifully from half-back and Mitchell's glut of disposals forced James Hird to shift Heath Hocking on to him. But it was Hawthorn's forwards that were proving irresistible,

After Michael Hurley kicked the Dons' only goal of the term, Rioli and Roughead answered in spectacular style.